William Shakespeare, Oscar Hammerstein ... James Wyche?

Although the third name does not roll off the tongue as easily as the first two, the New Iberia native could gain just as much local fame due to the production of his debut piece, IPAL’s “Remember When.”

“I really don’t know anything about writing plays,” Wyche said. “I just know you have to use visuals in a play. Every-thing is conversational.”

James Wyche, a New Iberia native, will make his theatrical literary debut next month when IPAL performs 'Remember When,' which he wrote. Justin Hall / The Daily Iberian Advertisement

A minister at First United Methodist Church on Jefferson Street, Wyche is a newcomer to the local arts scene, having made his IPAL debut as a vocalist during the production of “Oklahoma” last year.

“I would say that it’s very rare to have a local writer for these types of plays,” Donald Voorhies, who is directing the play, said. “It’s a challenge to write plays, especially a musical.”

Set in the 1950s, “Remember When” is a classic boy-meets-girl, boy-loses-girl, boy-finds-girl love story, Wyche said.

The writer said he incorporated a lot of his favorite music from the time, as well as names from old-time television shows or restaurants for the inspiration of his characters.

“My character’s name is Gary, after Gary’s Drugstore,” Wyche said. “The town’s name is New Berry, which is modeled after New Iberia.”

Wyche said he has always loved writing, including his weekly sermons for church and a murder mystery novel that he wrote titled “Onions Make You Fry.” However, he never saw himself getting involved in writing a stage play.

“(The cast) was talking during rehearsals of “Oklahoma” and said ‘Wouldn’t it be fun if someone wrote a play about New Iberia and centered it around 1950s tunes everyone knows?’ ” Wyche said. “Voorhies came up to me afterward and said ‘If you write it, I’ll direct it.’ ”

Voorhies said everyone has loved working on the play so far and really got into the story from the first time they saw the script.

“We had a read through and the reaction was everyone laughed at the funny parts, everyone was excited at the exciting parts, everyone was touched at the moving parts,” Voorhies said.

As for his reaction to the progress made by the play, Wyche said he is absolutely amazed at how it’s coming along.

“Voorhies is doing an excellent job,” Wyche said. “The actors’ ability on stage is astounding.”

Wyche said young and old will enjoy the play, as it is a way to think back on a time many remember fondly.

“It’s fun, it’s a little whimsical,” Wyche said. “It has a happy ending, which is something everyone needs a little bit these days.”

“Remember When” starts Aug. 19 at the Essanee Theater and runs Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Aug. 29.